Biden, Netanyahu Discuss Gaza Cease-Fire in Oval Office

Facts

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Pres. Joe Biden in the Oval Office on Thursday to discuss a cease-fire in the nine-month conflict in Gaza, as White House officials claim Israel and Hamas are closer than ever to a deal.^[1]
• White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said in a press briefing that tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and the “critical need for stability in the West Bank” have also been discussed, adding that the US still maintains an “ironclad” commitment to Israel’s security.^[2]
• At the White House, Netanyahu also met with Vice Pres. and presidential hopeful Kamala Harris. On Friday, he is set to travel to Florida to meet with former Pres. Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago.^[3]
• Meanwhile, US Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown said that Israel has yet to give concrete details regarding its 'day after' plan for Gaza's post-war future, adding that the US will continue to work on the issue.^[4]
• In Gaza, Israeli forces further advanced in Khan Younis and Rafah, with airstrikes and shelling allegedly killing 30 people, and claimed to have found the bodies of five Israelis who were possibly killed during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.^[5]
• Israel released eight Palestinians back to Gaza on Thursday after detaining them in the country's Ofer Prison. Those who were freed said they had been tortured by Israeli forces.^[6]

Sources: ^[1]Guardian, ^[2]Timesofisrael, ^[3]NBC, ^[4]Jerusalem Post, ^[5]Reuters and ^[6]Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Ft. A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, preserve Israel's security, and create a better 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power. The US will continue to work toward closing the gaps and ensuring that peace and stability can be restored to the region.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Israel wants to make a deal and get its hostages back, but it cannot allow Hamas to stay in power. If Hamas is allowed to remain in power in Gaza, the group will immediately begin planning the next Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Though there are pressures at home and abroad to end the war prematurely, Israel must do what is best for its citizens.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Though Israel's war on Gaza must end as soon as possible, it's clear that Israel wants to indefinitely occupy the strip. Israel has failed miserably at defeating Hamas, as the group continues to re-emerge in areas deemed 'cleared.' Indeed, Netanyahu's political ambitions incentivize him to perpetuate this genocidal campaign as long as possible. Regardless of a deal, this war has no end in sight.

Predictions